Disable Cortana data collection

Overview

About this category

This category contains privacy scripts for Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This category targets the reduction of Cortana's data collection practices.

Cortana, Microsoft's digital assistant, integrates deeply with Windows Search to provide personalized assistance based on user data.

By disabling Cortana's data collection features, this category aims to enhance user privacy by preventing the sharing of sensitive information with Microsoft.

The scripts within this category provide users with the tools to limit Cortana's reach into their personal data, thereby fostering a more private and secure digital environment.

Safe for General Use

This category is recommended for all users. It helps to improve privacy without affecting stability.

Apply now

These scripts are written using Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

It allows selectively choose parts of this action to conduct. You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions

Open or download the desktop application
Search for the category name: Disable Cortana data collection.
Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download

Consider restarting your computer for all changes to take affect.

Reversible

This action is completely reversible, you can restore your changes to the initial/default state. The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

If something goes wrong, use the Revert script provided above.

Standard

This script includes only Standard recommendation level.

Safe for General Use

Standard scripts in this category is recommended for all users. They help to improve privacy without affecting stability.

Download only standard scripts by clicking on the button:

Download script

Restore these changes if you decide to revert them by downloading the restore script:

Download restore script

Explore further

This category includes total of 16 scripts and 2 subcategories.

Explore its 9 subscripts and 2 subcategories:

Disable Cortana activity history

This category focuses on preventing Cortana from storing and displaying user interaction history. When enabled, Cortana collects data on user activities, such as interactions with the assistant and search queries, to personalize the user experience. This collection can be a privacy concern as it involves the retention and potential analysis of personal behavior patterns. By disabling this feature, users can prevent their activity history from being used for customization or other purposes, there...

Disable Cortana voice listening

This category is designed to stop Cortana from listening for voice commands. By default, Cortana can actively listen for voice input, which may include capturing and processing speech patterns and potentially sensitive spoken content. This capability raises privacy issues as voice data is often processed and stored remotely. Disabling Cortana's voice listening features ensures that conversations or background noises are not inadvertently recorded or analyzed, providing users with a greater level...